Comments on This Site For a few years after I started this site (2002, I think) I had a guest book, provided by the web host, but I haven't had that for some time now. In 2011, I decided that in place of a guest book, I'd do a page with some of the comments on the site that I receive by email now and then.
bring up so many memories! Thank you for your effort, and I hope you are able to sustain it for many more years! David xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
online. Hello Dan, Many Thanks for your very good history of the Draper's and the Company, that was a good read and it gave me even a better understanding. I have yet to follow all links but will do so in a few minutes. Peter
It was great to see the end remark from Richard in thanking you for all you do, I enjoyed his story to the full. It's high time some of your contacts thanked you in this manner and good to see you have included it. Peter (Peter was referring to this from Richard: "Dear Dan. Thanks for all you do my friend...." Actually no one says thank you more often than Peter.) At my age I never, never forget the Hoglunds, Inghams, Safstroms or 46 Inman street, and the Hopedale Foundation. What a perfect place and to have a talented historian like you to bring it all back do not have to wait for heaven you create one for all of us. There is no question in my mind that you have developed a treasure of the heart for everyone who loves Hopedale and others who want to just know about this Utopian place. Thank you, Dana xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dan your efforts should get national attention. Your body of work as a historian forever paints the picture in this case of a beautiful place called Hopedale. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Well, that was a tug on the heart strings - the video and slides of graduation and the (Memorial Day) parade. I guess I did that parade six years while in the band plus maybe a few more, walking the route with the Scouts. It's nice to see they hold graduations again on the Community House steps. Just something nice about seeing those pictures of downtown, the Community House, etc. Thanks. Tim xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Your Hopedale website is really marvelous. I lived in Hopedale from 1954 through 1958, and went to high school there.
Leonardo C (from Sant'ippolito, Italy) To the nice person Mr Dan Malloy extra thanks for your very kind help to all of us, grazie ancora, di cuore ciao
L. S.
Art H (One of many messages of thanks from Art.)
Really like the IAQ’s section.(Infrequently asked questions)
Thanks, Danny. I particularly enjoyed your April photos A.L.
Peter's comments on the Hopedale ezine are always quite specific. Hello Dan, May I thank you for this edition. The History of the Charles River is of most interest, especially the two bottom documents plus the talk of the " Craigie Bridge " and Longfellow. The above documents were also of interest and tell a very good history. Outdoor fun at the Library looks like someone has taught them how to make those water bombs and the bottle rocket, something we never had with the glass bottles before plastic came in. The Shop & Sawmill, you are now getting more good documents that go back a way and also mention the Rev. Ballou, of interest also was your article written by G. Hopper about Mill River and the different heights of the river. I will take a look at the rest tonight. Regards, Peter. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Great history, but really, the use of this imagery - cardboard box robots? geodesic domes? - is just plain stupid. Kind of an insult to the town, it's history and people, as well... xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you so much for taking the time to walk Hopedale with me and share your insights on town history. You are so full of useful facts and information, and it was great to talk to Howsie about Oakledge as well. I also found a number of good things in the town reports after our meeting, and am in the thick of working on adding all this new knowledge to my writeups on Hopedale for the Warren Manning book. The links are great. I can't believe the photos of the pond from last summer. Sure enough I see the stone walls, and the bridge is very much visible as well. I will have to look into Ballou's history to see what he says about the Cutler Bridge and other early Hopedale history.
Wow! I just finished reading your recent post \ update to The Statue of Hope at the Library. What an awesome story it is. It sure adds an interesting twist to the statue history, and of our little town . It is funny how a bit of scandalous news can spice things up a bit. Lol.. Thank you so much for all the effort and research you do to keep your always, work in progress web site so interesting. It is by far a great contribution to our town, and my hats off to you my friend. Warmest Regards, Richard
THANKS Dan. I love "You know you"re from Hopedale if...............RUSS D
I just read about the “Seven Sisters Gang””. I have to tell you that I loved it. I did get a laugh out of the fact that it was near Draper Field. of course that means where Draper Field was later located, since that gang of “groupies” melded in the mid 30’s, long before Draper Field was even a dream. The Holmes’s (46 Progress St.)and the Soderberg’s (136 Freedom St.) lived in the house on the corner of Freedom and Progress St., in fact Shirley and Gladys Holmes moved into that house in 1927 and the Soderbergs not to far from that date. I never heard of the Tuten name so the Seven sisters Gang must have driven them out before I was old enough to know the Tuten name. Good job guys. I did know or recognize most of the names in the “Gang”. They were a generation ahead of me or I am sure that I would have been mixed up with them as well. I hate to think what might have happened to the poor cat. I’ll bet Johny Cembruch knows. Bob H
of replies. Here are a few: The video is sort of cute. Critics should try their own hands at doing something they like better. I'm not sure about the meaning of the box imagery, but it captures attention and gets the story out there. DCS
sassychick36
history is good and it beats looking at a stationery object while one listens to the history. PM
If I understand correctly, you are the "Dan in Hopedale" who runs that website? I find it incredibly informative (especially all of the information on the Drapers!) and it is also nice to keep updated with stuff going on down in Hopedale. Nathan P
sixties , lived on Mendon St. between the Phillips and Doneleys . Had we not moved , I would have been in the class of '70 . Looking at all the photos brings back wonderful memories of that place I will always consider my hometown . Thanks again . Carlton Morgan Columbus , Ga.
research you have been able to do at the Library. Again, thanks for all the Histories you have made up and sent this year - they were all interesting and the photography was A1.
Len L xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I enjoyed your YouTube movie of Hopedale in 2011 set to great music. You have had a busy year and I feel have added some of the best information to your site compared to any other year thus far. In addition you have made up all the folders at the Library for other's to enjoy which involves a great deal of work. May the year of 2012 be another great year for you both. ~ Happy New Year ~ Peter
Dan, You continue to be a treasure for the town. Thanks for all you do. Bob Moro xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wow- your links to other articles are awe-inspiring. Please add me to your mailing list if you continue to send out newsletters/ emails. Thanks, Jeannette
probably don't remember, but I stopped and said hi last September. We talked for a little while about Hopedale in the 50's. I believe I caught you on your way out the door to pick up your wife. I don't know how often you hear it, but I would like to say thanks again for all your efforts on this site. I usually check by once a week and enjoy articles and photos of my old home town. Phil C
ALWAYS enjoy your site. But this Webster Lake tell-all article is a shift to my Worcester County paradigm! It's like finding out there is no Santa Claus. Truth is just tough to take at times. Thanks for the cold water facts concerning that great legendary lake with the mystical name. Yours remorsefully, Marc xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I can guarantee that I read EVERY ONE of your messages. I treat them like a little boy would when getting a cookie from his Mom. They are great and I am so pleased that you are continuing your volunteer articles. Must be that Elaine is as giving as you for the time you spend on your research and articles is time away from your wife. THANK YOU, TOO, ELAINE. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for doing this!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I continue to be amazed at two things-- the wonderful history of that little town and the effort you expend in gathering the great stories about it. Keep up the good work. I look forward each new installment Len L
I congratulate you on the content and quality of your work. I have been fascinated by the completeness of the website. Frank C
still! Thanks so much again. My mom went to Hopedale High. I have her diploma in a creative memories scrapbook that I did of her. Thanks again Donna P
Library were fantastic. Bill R xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dan! Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and generous offering. Always is with your updates … but this strikes a real chord with me. Great stuff! Keep the faith... and hope you keep at it! All the best, Marc P Natick, MA
Love, love, love, the video and the song. (Sleepy Little Town) What a wonderful tribute to Hopedale. My daughter watched it with me as I am down here in Boston.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OMG I went to the site. IT IS INCREDIBLE. I was a history major so I was quite impressed. I would really like to be added to the list. Thanks again. Diane xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi Dan, Greetings from Fort Myers, where I now live. I just wanted to compliment you on the latest Hopedale History email. Great stuff Dan! I forwarded this to a half dozen of my friends. I continue to believe that you and Elaine are a special gift to the town. Thanks for doing this for everyone. Take care, Bob
your website. Bravo again and again! George D
This is terrific, I am a genealogy nut. I love to have the cemetery stones for my ancestors. Your kindness is greatly appreciated, I’m putting them right up on my family tree! Best, Helen
Dan, Thank you so much, you have gone above and beyond. I have always tried to get obits and cemetery markers for my research, I had none on the Parkers. The articles fill in the blanks on Paul K.’s death. I knew he died young in an accident but not much else. Again I can’t thank you enough, you have been wonderfully helpful. I appreciate your time and effort. Regards, Helen xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thank you for the FABULOUS job you do with the web page!!!! I so enjoy it. Marcia A xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx An interesting aside is that Bayard's 2 daughters have now hooked up with Winfield's 2 sons (not daughter yet) so your site has reunited a whole group of cousins who had lost touch. Meredith xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
continue to maintain my membership. (it is my privilege) We are all so lucky to have you on our memory team. Newsletter tells of your efforts as they should. Dana While there is no actual "membership," Dana (HHS 1958) has been making a contribution for the support of the website for the past several years. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
old neighbor's name, just curious. My family lived in Hopedale, 1965 to 1970. Sweet memories. Please thank Richard Bodreau, for his article. I plan to read more, but can take this stuff only a little at a time. I have moved several times over a thousand miles, but the little move to Framingham, in 1970, when I was 14 and a half, was the hardest to take by far. Michael C. And after I replied and asked if he remembered my cousins, Michael wrote: Dan, After thinking about it, I think I do remember your Grandfather Malloy. (Actually he was thinking of my uncle, Tom Malloy.) Several times Gary had me go with him to his grandparents to play with the toy soldiers they had. I believe they lived out past Sacred Heart Church a bit. Your grandfather was in WW1 and had a complete uniform he showed us. Gary, Jeff Alger and I joined together for the Halloween parade. I was dressed in my Uncle's WW2 army uniform, Jeff had stuff from his brother who was in Vietnam and Gary wore your grandfather's WW1 outfit with leg wrappings and metal helmet etc. Anyway, the three of us joined together for Halloween as stretcher bearers carrying a dummy. The third guy, I forget who, held an IV bottle. We won first prize. Many, many memories. Michael And after going through a bit more of the site: Dan, you are doing truly wonderful work and making many people very happy. I have three sisters and they are thrilled with what you have done. I have no pictures from that time. Over the years my memories of Hopedale, have seemed like a great book I read instead of actual experience. God bless you, Michael
number of times, I suggested that he do a full article. He did. It's a wonderful story of growing up in Hopedale in the late 1960s. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi Dan, Thanks for taking these photos every month. I really enjoy them and they make me nostalgic for Massachusetts. Hope you and Elaine are well. Have a great spring and summer! Dana F xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I liked so many items in this recent batch! I began with the Kentucky connection to the family, but soon branched out to almost everything else. Especially liked the bored actress and the photos of Hopedale in May!
George D
Helen was my great grandmother. A fantastic find. Thank you. I shared with the whole Parker clan this evening! Paul xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
many years ago. He knew how to repair upholstered furniture. He told me he learned how to do it at the Harel House. I once went there with him. What a fascinating place it was. David xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi Dan, I love all the old pictures and history. Thank you very much. Regards, Bob G xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dan, I wanted to thank you again for your wonderful website. I so enjoy reading about Hopedale's history, but it also has taken us back in our minds to a wonderful, simpler time, reminding us of such fond memories. What a great community, and it still seems to thrive on its original mission. My brother Michael has been able to reconnect with his special friends from our days in Hopedale, and it has meant a lot to him, and myself. It is so strange how you remember names and places like it was yesterday. And we were very young. Hopedale has left a lifelong impression on our lives. Patti H xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I really enjoyed the photos and other memorabilia from the Draper Field Days. I wrote about them in my Master's thesis a long time ago. Always fun to get the Hopedale History e-mail. Anita D. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I found your web site while I was researching the Draper Corp and want to congratulate on a wonderful resource. What a lot of work. My wife is a Draper descendant so it has been a thrill to read. We were in Hopedale today for Nancy Gannett's funeral, so your web site was especially poignant. Thanks for all the hard work
xxxxxxxxxxxxx Dear Dan, Just amazing work. Congratulations! You should open a detective agency. Yes Beatrice was my mother. Thank you for giving us this little bit of family history. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wow - you just made my day. My Dad is having serious health issues -- I shared this with him - you can not imagine the change in him. He was so excited. He never knew that his father in-law Marshall Newell had known his father. What's even better for me -- is that I know he will start thinking and trying to remember. I can not thank you enough for your kindness. I know I sound crazy - but I just want to convey my appreciation. If my Dad gets better, I want to take him back to Hopedale and visit the library. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dear Dan: With sadness in my heart I am writing you to let you know that my husband John has died. This was on Wednesday the 12th of March. He died peacefully in his sleep after a few months of heart problems. He so appreciated your friendship and I wish to thank you for all you've done in bringing him such joy in your many articles etc. Connie
will have to find some way to restore that to museum quality! My sister is there, and I have lots more of her, but what a flood of memories from others on the team! I knew everyone there, dated some, both before and after the time that was taken. The Lapworths lived diagonally across Highland Street. We were at 28 Mendon, on the corner next to the Goffs. Next to us on Highland were the Stares. What a flood of memories! David
I always enjoy your Hopedale History compilations, as you know, but I had to write in praise of Walter Brown's recollections of his Purchase Street neighbors. How in god's name could he remember all that? Truly amazing. I grew up on Dilla Street and knew many of the folks he summarized-house after house after house. Truly amazing and a gift to all who read it. You are amazing too Dan. Thank you for your efforts and keep up the good work. Bob M
Hi Dan, Great vintage information!! I loved reading about the history of the Patrick and Calarese families and the old pictures are fantastic. Thanks for your efforts in putting this information together and distributing it. Have a great summer. Regards, Bob G
Great to read the history of the town I still love to call home. MaryAnne
Dan, have to comment on your pictures of the G&U. They are great! I especially like the first one of the train and fall foliage. I’ve been taking railroad and trolley pictures for 68 years so feel I am qualified to judge. Bob H.
That's fantastic. The Draper looms the company picked up actually came to us from South America. Really appreciate having you as a resource. Funny how the world likes to connect people. All and any of your help would be much appreciated. We can chat more soon today after I conference with my boss. Thanks so much for reaching out.
Hi Dan I just wanted to thank you for your Hopedale Site. My Dad just died over Christmas at age 91 -- he and I took such joy from looking through your site and exploring the past. Many of your photos were a catalyst for other conversations and discussions about characters and happenings in the past. I so appreciate that you took the time to do this -- your photos and newspaper clippings gave my Dad and I an opportunity to talk about his childhood and his family's history in Hopedale. My Aunt (Mary Northrup Newell) still enjoys the site and we often discuss issues in Hopedale's past. I send you many thanks for your research efforts and best wishes for a happy new year. All the best. Marianne
We have precious few pictures of my late husband, John. I watched the muster video ... And now we have video of him. Brought me to tears. Thank you for all you do, you just never know the impact of things you do. Can't wait to show my daughter. Thank you.
Fascinating! You are a wealth of knowledge! YOU ARE RIGHT! I AM VERY INTERESTED! Please do let me know if you think of or run across any more gems! YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!! Anita xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
2015.
time, and hope it survives at least as long as I do. This time the Hopedale Pond in April really got to me. One thing that astonishes me is how many names evoke images and memories. It did seem to me while growing up there that everyone in Hopedale knew everyone else in Hopedale. For my part, I read a familiar name and "see" that person as I knew him or her, and likewise look at a group photograph and rattle off the names without making much reference to the text below Whether I get more pleasure from your written material on Hopedale or your photography I may never resolve! Just keep it up and I'll keep being grateful. Your pear blossoms this time are worth a prize.
Thanks so much for this web site. I'm putting together a summer service on UU Utopias, and once I found your page, you were my major source for Hopedale. You have much more than I could ever use, with the kind of details that make a place come alive. It's outside the scope of my talk, but I may check back once in a while to see if anyone's dug up General Draper's statue :)
Dan, you have done a great service to the town of Hopedale. Joe S. xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thank you Dan for all you do to preserve the history of our wonderful town. Robert O.
Many thanks for all your work throughout the years you have been working on your Newsletters, I do not know of another Newsletter that is so informative and so well written. May I thank you once again. Regards, Peter.
volume of material you have put into the website is incredible.
Thanks for the efforts in putting this information together. Even though I am not from Hopedale. I am enjoying the history lessons especially living in one of the manufacturing centers of the Industrial Revolution. It's hard to visualize what this area was like 100-150 years ago. I meant to let you know that I also enjoyed the aerial visuals of the factory you put in the last month's email. The way you presented them it showed the clean up efforts over the past couple decades and gives you an idea of how massive this operation was. The foundry visuals in this email are also very interesting. Thanks again for your efforts. Regards, Bob xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thanks again for all your work. This area is so rich in history it's great that we have a dedicated person like you to help keep it alive. Regards, Bob G
I am so grateful for these posts and memories. The best place to grow up ever. Tina xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hello, I'm a new resident of the town (moved here in July), and I recently stumbled across your site. I'm blown away by the dedication you have to preserving the town's history. I just want to say keep up the good work and I'll be referring back to your site to continue learning both the history and current events of my new home. Thanks, KB xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Thank you SO much Dan for doing this. I was in the class of 1966 but moved to Maine in 1964. I so appreciate all the time and effort you put into keeping us all informed. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Dan I love reading all of these. What is cool for me in this months is the article about the band performing at the worlds fair in 65. Because they were there my brothers Robert and Steve went across the street to Shea stadium and were able to buy 3 tickets to see the Beatles in August! The legendary Shea concert and we were there! The ticklets were like $5.75 each. Our parents bought a car to drive us there and they sat in the car while we went to the concert and we drove back home that night! Pretty amazing! Sorry to learn of your wife's passing Dave xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx I just had a wonderful trip back in time. I first read your piece about your wife then i read her piece about living on George st. What a treat! It brought back so many memories of my life on George street. David (Not the same Dave as the one who sent the one about the Beatles concert.)
The red school house trip to Boston, now wasn't that something!!! I only saw a name of one of my classmates, I think most were older than me. The tax rate of 1940..can you imagine. The richest town in the state. I know how lucky I was to grow up there. Loved the picture of the ballfield with Dutcher Street School in the background. The TV listings.. Maverick, What's My line, Meet the Press..which I watch every Sunday..longest running program on tv. Dinah Shore Show,Community Auditions..loved that one! The Lone Ranger..that was a very popular one! The recipes calling for Zappella Dairy products!! The flood of 1955..remember it very well, my entire family had to go get a shot from Dr Chichetti as we had been exposed..and that needle was HUGE!! It's so nice to see the beautiful Statue of Hope. I mean what town has something like that at their library??! I'm liking the Food Drive, excellent idea.. Last but not least, the Fairy Walk. I attended it about 2 years ago and it was one of the nicest walks I have ever had! Angels of the Morning..one of my favorites. So, thanks Dan! I didn't get my errands done today but this was 100 times better!!! (This comment from Facebook refers to 2019-05). Frances
Dan, I'm still enjoying all the wonderful stories in this months email. What a wealth of information. Thanks again, Bob G xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx What a whimsical, historic, and thoroughly charming set of photos, Dan. From Hopedale (loved the lady slippers and bunnies) to Boston. Thank you for all you do to keep the history of Hopedale alive and for sharing some of your personal connections to the landscape as well.
Since you included my Draper video there I have heard from many Hopedale residents who I've not seen or heard from in many years. I don't have to tell you how powerful and loved your site is to these folks. I just want to say thank you for all you do and all you've done to promote and preserve Hopedale history. 5 stars sir! Doug
Hello Dan, 1st I'd like to thank you for your diligence and hard work keeping up your site. It's memory lane for me sometimes, reading your archive articles and viewing your picture collections. The folks that view your work are fortunate to have you at the helm, keeping history alive, and promoting the wonderful town of Hopedale. It's also interesting to see the events of yesteryear from other towns as well, and you do an outstanding job blending all the history together to form the content of your site. Thank you for what you do and what you've done for the historical junkies and the curious folks who enjoy the news of days gone by. I salute your efforts and your professionalism! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Hi Dan! You did again! What a fantastic spread on the Princess. The history and pictures are great. Especially the picture of the Prince Andrea. Where the heck did you ever get that one! Also, I can believe he took his mistress with him on the honeymoon!! That should have been a red flag from Day One. I wonder how the General felt about that? Also, it did not know that General Draper married the daughter of a Confederate General. Thanks for all the good reading and viewing and for keeping all of this rich history alive! Bets regards, B xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wow Arthur Brown was my uncle. I knew he was shot down and was a POW but I never knew the whole story. Thanks for posting that Dan (Here's the page that comment referred to.) As to the comment about the general, he didn't have a problem with the marriage. He died in 1910, and the marriage took place in 1916. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Wow, That was a great edition for me. (Ezine for September 2020.) Many connections this time. Loved the story about Mrs. Mongeon. Mrs. Stare, Jackie Stare, Larry Heron, Dave Doyle and others. Thanks again. Mike C XXXXXXXXXXXXXX Dan, Fabulous update on what's going on in Hopedale. I love the aerial pictures of the town and Draper plant. It's obvious Hopedale was a very exciting town to live in back in those days! Thank you. Bob G
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